The PNG government has committed to ending round log export volumes by 2027, but it is not on track to meet it’s log export reduction goals as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan IV. 

In 2022, the Government announced its intention to phase out round log exports over the next five years and increase local downstream processing to promote greater employment, increase GDP and boost government revenues. 

However, official log export data for 2023 shows exports of 2.2 million cubic meters, well over the full year limit set in the MTDP of 1.695 million cubic meters. 

Although there was a drop in log export volumes from 2022 of 27%, exports exceeded the MTDP IV targets by 32%. 

While it is welcome to see the government has a concrete plan to end round log exports, it is very concerning to see the PNG Forest Authority not meeting those targets. 

The limit for round log export in 2023 was 1.695 million cubic meters, for 2024 it is 1.296 million, for 2025, it is just 897,000 cubic meters. 

The continued abuse of Forest Clearing Authorities is one of the major reasons that round log exports numbers are not reducing more quickly. 

In 2023, Forest Clearing Authorities were responsible for more log exports than any other concession type, yet they are only supposed to be used for the clearance of small discrete areas of forest - not large-scale selective logging operations.

ACT NOW is urging the government to undertake an independent, public and transparent audit of all existing FCA’s and until that is done, log exports from these concessions should be suspended.